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Aboriginal Liaison Officer Program

The Aboriginal Liaison Officer (ALO) Program became operational in 2002. The creation of this program was a direct result of the Victorian Aboriginal Justice Agreement, a partnership between the Victorian Government and Victorian Indigenous Communities. This agreement was brought about by recommendations from the Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody. The program aims to address the over representation of Indigenous people in the Victorian Justice System by working with Indigenous defendants when they enter the court system. In addition, the service helps Aboriginal people to maximise their chances of rehabilitation through culturally appropriate and sensitive intervention.

The ALO Program has a coordinator and liaison officer. It operates as part of the Court Integrated Services Program (CISP) and offers the range of services provided by the CISP.

Any party to a court proceeding can access the ALO Program, including applicants, respondents and defendants from all jurisdictions of the Magistrates' Court, such as the Family Violence Court Division.  The objectives of the ALO Program include:

• to provide advice to Indigenous defendants who come in to contact with the court, and their families
• to provide access to services for Indigenous defendants who come into contact with the court
• to raise awareness within the criminal justice system of cross-cultural issues
• to provide advice and report to Magistrates and relevant court staff in relation to appropriate courses of action for Indigenous defendants
• to liaise with local Aboriginal communities to inform them of the court process
• to consult, negotiate and liaise with government and non-government organizations to co-ordinate service delivery and promote knowledge of issues relating to Aboriginal persons.

The ALO Program is located at the Melbourne Magistrates' Court, but is a state wide service.

Further information may be obtained from the Magistrates' Court of Victoria Guide to Court Support & Diversion Services or the CISP Indigenous brochure on this website or by contacting the program on the telephone numbers below.